CONTRIBUTION FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
TO
THE STUDY ON
"INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONMAKING”,
UNDERTAKEN BY THE EXPERT MECHANISM ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES
(Submitted December 2009)
INTRODUCTION
Participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention
1.
A fundamental principle of the programme of work for Article 8(j) has been the
participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention on
Biological Diversity1. Participation has notably improved over time through such
mechanisms as the Clearing House Mechanism (and specifically the Article 8(j) webpages and Traditional Knowledge Information Portal), capacity building efforts, and
through the voluntary funding mechanism2.
2.
The Secretariat is pleased to report that mechanisms for the full and effective
participation of indigenous and local communities in meetings held under the
Convention, and in particular, the ad hoc open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and
Related Provisions, have been established within the framework of the Convention, since
its inception. The mechanisms that have been developed within the Convention, range
from financial support (particularly through the recently established Voluntary Fund for
indigenous and local community representatives), to enable indigenous and local
communities to attend the meetings, to logistical support, as well as participation in
formal and informal groups (such as contact groups and Friends of the Chair groups), as
well as capacity building efforts. The work of the Secretariat to engage ILCs is seen as a
good practice model for the rest of the United Nations system.
3.
Continuous participation in CBD work is also encouraged by a variety of means,
whether is promoting relevant Guidelines, through involvement with indigenous and
local community organizations working on biodiversity issues, by sending input with
regards to our work programme directly to the Secretariat, and through the employment
of indigenous consultants, among others. Furthermore, indigenous and local community
1
The sections of the 8(j) programme of work are made available for easy reference in annex II of this
document.
2
Annex IV contains practical information on how ILCs may participate in convention processes.
1
representatives can also subscribe their organization/s in order to be informed as soon as
notifications are issued, by completing the subscription form , which is available in our
web site the 8(j) home page (https://www.cbd.int/traditional/about.shtml ).
4.
The Convention has entered a particularly exciting phase and indigenous and
local communities, as one of its major stakeholders, have a special role to play in the
enhanced implementation of the Convention, including at the national level, as well as in
the negotiation, eventual adoption and implementation of the International Regime on
Access and Benefit Sharing and in the development of post 2010 strategic directions,
amongst other significant issues.
5.
Given all this, the Secretariat would like to emphasis that for the “right to
effective participation” to be enjoyed by indigenous peoples, is it must supported through
practical measures including capacity building and open mechanisms.
Voluntary Fund for the Participation of ILCs in meetings held under the Convention
6.
In decision VII/16 G, paragraph 10, on participatory mechanism for indigenous
and local communities, the Conference of the Parties decided “to establish to establish a
voluntary funding mechanism under the Convention to facilitate the participation of
indigenous and local communities, giving special priority to those from developing
countries and countries with economies in transition and small island developing States in
meetings under the Convention, including meetings of the indigenous and local
community liaison group and relevant meetings of ad hoc technical expert groups”. The
Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting (Decision VIII/5 D Annex) adopted the
draft criteria for the operation of such a Fund. This Fund remains the only United Nations
fund specifically for indigenous and local community participation in meetings related to
the Convention. The CBD remains to only MEA that has a voluntary fund for the
participation of ILCs in meetings held under the Convention.
Participation and involvement of indigenous and local communities in policy development and
decision-making through the Working Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions
7.
The Conference of the Parties established the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on
Article 8 (j) and related provisions which is responsible for the development and implementation
of the work programme with the full participation of indigenous and local communities (ILCs).
The Working Group on Article 8(j) includes enhanced participation mechanism for ILCs
including the nomination of an indigenous co-chair to assist the Chairperson of the meeting, as
well as an indigenous and local community bureau, and co-chairs for sub-working groups and
contact groups, and enhanced opportunities to make interventions on all agenda items. A
voluntary funding mechanism was also established to facilitate the participation of ILCs in all
relevant meetings held under the Convention3.
8.
The Working Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions met six times since its
establishment in 1998 (COP-4) and has made some notable achievements. In particular, the
3
Refer Decision VIII/5, D, paragraph I
2
Working Group has raised the profile of indigenous and local community issues throughout the
Convention. It has successfully developed, and monitored the implementation of the work
programme on Article 8(j) and related provisions. It has advanced the priority tasks of the work
programme, including through improved indigenous and local community participation in the
Convention process, the development of guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and
social impact assessments (the Akwe:Kon Voluntary Guidelines), the completion of the
composite report on the status and trends of traditional knowledge bringing together detailed
regional information from every region and the identification of processes at national and local
levels that may threaten the maintenance, preservation and application of traditional knowledge.
The Group is currently considering elements of sui generis systems for the protection of
traditional knowledge, as well as elements of an code of ethical conduct to ensure respect for the
cultural and intellectual heritage of indigenous and local communities, which could make a
substantial contribution not only to the advancement of the work program on article 8 (j) and
related provisions, but also to the negotiation and elaboration of an international regime on access
and benefit-sharing. In short, the Working Group has ensured that appropriate attention and focus
is given to traditional knowledge under the Convention process.
9.
On the other hand, the existence of the Working Group has meant that most efforts in
promoting traditional knowledge under the Convention have been concentrated in the Working
Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions. This may have had the unintended result of
reducing the focus on issues related to traditional knowledge in the work of the other subsidiary
bodies under the Convention. While attention was paid to indigenous and local community
concerns in such programmes as protected areas, and access and benefit-sharing4, some have
questioned whether indigenous and local communities are effectively participating in other work
programmes of significance to indigenous and local communities.
11.
The Working Group on Article 8(j) at its most recent (sixth) meeting continued its strong
focus on indigenous participation and capacity building. The draft decisions being transfer to
COP 10, concerning participation and capacity building are made available in annex I of this
document.
10.
In recent years, although their interests remain broad, indigenous and local communities
have prioritised the Working Group on Article 8(j), the Working Group on ABS, the Working
Group on Protected Areas and various expert meetings on climate change. In particular, the most
recent decision IX/18, A, paragraph 5 on Protected Areas, recognises need to promote full and
effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the implementation of the
programme of work on protected areas at all levels, yet this remains elusive. A detailed analysis
of indigenous and local community participation in protected areas issues can be found in
document UNEP/CBD/WG8(j)/6/2.
I.
CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS
11.
Indigenous peoples cannot be guaranteed effective participation without relevant capacity
building. Indeed, in regards to effective participation, capacity building should be seen as the
other side of the same coin. If indigenous peoples enjoy a standalone right to effectively
participate in all matters that affect them, then capacity building could be seen as a procedural
necessity that ensures or operationalises effective participation. The 193 Parties to the
4
A case study of indigenous participation in the ABS process is attached as annex III.
3
Convention on Biological Diversity have acknowledged the importance of capacity-building as a
tool for the effective participation of indigenous and local communities, most recently in decision
IX/13 D, on the plan of action for the retention of indigenous knowledge, 5/ in paragraph 1 of
which the Parties decided that the priority for future work on the plan of action should focus on
section E, capacity-building, and decision IX/13 E (“Participatory mechanisms for indigenous
and local communities in the Convention”), as well as in the related decisions on access and
benefit-sharing, including paragraph 22 of decision IX/12.
1.
To optimize the use of limited resources and to ensure the effective implementation of
decisions of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat pursues opportunities for
capacity-building for indigenous and local communities beyond official capacity-building
workshops. In particular, on the margins of many official meetings under the Convention, such
as the Working Group on Article 8(j) and the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing, and
on the margin of meetings under other processes, the Secretariat provides briefings and
capacity-building to both the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and the Indigenous
Women’s Biodiversity Network, as well as civil society and non-governmental organizations, on
request.
2.
For example, a capacity-building workshop for indigenous and local community women
was held in partnership with IUCN and the gender focal point of the Convention on Biological
Diversity, on the eve of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, held in Bonn in May
2008, and again on the margins of the seventh meeting of the Working Group on Access and
Benefit-sharing, held in Paris in April 2009, as well as on the eve of the sixth meeting of the
Working Group on Article 8(j) and the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Access and
Benefit Sharing (November, 2009).
3.
Furthermore, briefings were provided to both the International Indigenous Forum on
Biodiversity (IIFB) and the CBD Alliance at both the ninth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties and the seventh meeting of the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing. Briefings
and capacity-building are also provided to indigenous peoples with a special emphasis on women,
on the eve of the annual sessions of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
and to the regular sessions of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Intergovernmental
Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional knowledge and Folklore,
and most recently at its twelfth and thirteenth sessions.
4.
The Secretariat also regularly liaises with donor Governments and develops proposals for
their consideration, to ensure that resources are available for official capacity-building
workshops. In particular, thanks to the ongoing patronage of the Government of Spain, the
Secretariat has been able to enter into a three-year memorandum of understanding with the
Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network for Latin America and the Caribbean to develop a
three-year strategy (2008-10), subject to the availability of annual funding. This memorandum of
understanding will be reviewed pending the outcomes of the tenth meeting of the Conference of
the Parties, with a view to continuing these efforts to expand the Indigenous Women’s
Biodiversity Network and to strengthen the members’ capacity to participate in Convention
processes.
5.
Under the three-year strategy, a regional and a global workshop 6will be facilitated on the
eve of the sixth meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) in November 2009, and a further
four subregional workshops are being planned for 2010, complemented by two regional and
5/
Decision VII/16 E, annex.
A Latin American and Caribbean regional capacity-building workshop for indigenous and local
communities, to be held in Montreal from 26 to 28 October 2009, and a global capacity-building workshop for
indigenous and local communities, be held at the same venue on 29-30 October 2009.
6/
4
global capacity-building workshops prior to, respectively, the ninth meeting of the Working
Group on Access and Benefit-sharing and the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The
report of the workshop facilitated in 2008 is available as an information document for the meeting
(UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/INF/8). 7
6.
Thanks to an initiative of the Brazilian Indigenous Institute for Intellectual Property
(INBRAPI), the Secretariat participated also in the second edition of the International Indigenous
Caucus on Access and Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity, held in Brasilia,
from 25 to 27 March 2008, as a preparatory meeting to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties. The workshop brought together some 70 indigenous peoples representatives from the
various Brazilian regions, many of whom participated in the ninth meeting of the Conference of
the Parties. Furthermore, a capacity-building workshop for Latin American and Caribbean
Indigenous Women on Processes under the Convention on Biological Diversity in Preparation for
the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, was organized by the Indigenous Women’s
Biodiversity Network of the Latin American and Caribbean region and the Fundación Para la
Promoción del Conocimiento Indígena (FPCI) in partnership with the Secretariat, in Panama,
from 7 to 9 April 2008. The workshop brought together 40 indigenous women from the various
Latin American countries. Many of these women participated effectively in the ninth meeting of
the Conference of the Parties.
7.
In conclusion, acknowledging the role of the Spanish Government in providing a
commitment in the form of an long-term memorandum of understanding, accompanied by annual
funding that can allow for long-term planning, the Secretariat takes this opportunity to draw
attention to the three-year capacity-building strategy developed for the Latin American and the
Caribbean region as a useful model for other regions, should a suitable donor Government be
identified.
Associate Programme Officer for Article 8(j)
8.
Again thanks to the generosity of the Government of Spain, the Secretariat has
established an associate programme officer position for the Article 8(j) team. 8/ In May of 2009,
an indigenous lawyer from Argentina was appointed for initial training. In due course, she is
expected to lead the capacity-building efforts in the Latin American and Caribbean region on
issues relevant to Article 8(j) and access and benefit-sharing. Her presence along with the
presence of other indigenous staff, including the programme officer for Article 8(j), also assists
in ensuring the Secretariat is open and welcoming and supportive of indigenous peoples’
participation in work of relevance to them.
Tourism workshops
9.
In paragraph 7 (a) of decision IX/13 E, the Conference of the Parties requested the
Executive Secretary to convene, subject to the availability of financial resources, further regional
and subregional workshops on community-friendly communication tools on traditional
knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Similarly, in
paragraph 6 (a) of decision VIII/5 D, the Executive Secretary was requested to convene, subject
to the availability of financial resources, regional and subregional workshops on new information
and web-based technologies to assist indigenous and local communities in their use and to
facilitate the establishment of communication networks.
7/
Report of the Capacity-Building Workshop for Indigenous Latin American Women on the
Processes of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in preparation for the ninth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
8/
The Article 8(j) team is composed of a Programme Officer and a Programme Assistant, and this
new position is an Associate Programme Officer and is subject to the ongoing availability of annual funding.
5
10.
Furthermore, through paragraph 8 of its decision VII/14, on biological diversity and
tourism, the Conference of the Parties invited relevant organizations to provide indigenous and
local communities with capacity-building and financial resources to support their active
participation in tourism policy-making, development planning, product development and
management indicated by the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development contained in
the annex to that decision.
11.
In paragraph 3 (c) (ii) of the same decision, the Conference of the Parties requested the
Executive Secretary to promote the use of the Convention’s clearing-house mechanism to collect
and disseminate information, best practices, lessons learned and case-studies on the involvement
of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles in sustainable tourism and
ecotourism activities and projects.
12.
In response to these decisions, the Secretariat, in partnership with Carleton University
(Ottawa, Canada), and with the financial support of Canada and Spain, proposed to hold a series
of regional and subregional workshops aimed at capacity-building for indigenous and local
communities in support of the enhanced implementation of the Guidelines on Biodiversity and
Tourism Development under the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the view to support
and strengthen indigenous and local initiatives in this area.
13.
This first workshop was dedicated to the Arctic region, in recognition of the International
Polar Year from March 2007 to March 2008, and considering the distinct challenges of remote
rural Arctic destinations. The workshop was held near Quebec City from 19 to 21 November
2007, and the report is being made available as an information document for the Working Group
(UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/INF/6). A second workshop was held for the Pacific region from 3 to 5
November 2008, in Apia. The report of that workshop is also being circulated as an information
document (UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/INF/7). The third workshop is planned for late November 2009
for indigenous and local community tourism operators in the Latin American and Caribbean
region. Additional workshops are scheduled to take place in Africa, and South-East Asia, with a
focus on forest basins, islands, mountains, and dry and sub-humid areas in 2010 and future years.
14.
These workshops have proven to be highly successful and practical events, which in
essence have trained indigenous and local-community tourism operators on how to better market
their tourism products to the benefit of both themselves and biodiversity. These events have also
allowed for indigenous and local community tourism operators to network and exchange best
practices and to effectively participate in tourism processes and to make a positive impact on
mainstream tourism.
II.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISMS AND TOOLS TO
FACILITATE THE EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS
AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION
15.
In line with advice provided through the informal advisory group on the clearing-house
mechanism, the former Advisory Group to Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, and the Capacitybuilding Workshop on Networking and Information Exchange, which met in Quito in October,
2007, the Indigenous Working Group on Communication, Education and Public Awareness, and
pursuant to decision IX/13 E of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat has developed a
number of participatory mechanisms in an effort to ensure full and effective participation by
indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention.
Web-based mechanisms and tools
6
16.
The electronic mechanisms under continuing development are the Article 8(j) webpage
and the Traditional Knowledge Information Portal, which are electronic and make use of webbased systems, attempting to incorporate many communication and interactive components in an
effort to facilitate dialogue, exchange ideas and disseminate knowledge and information among
indigenous and local communities. In particular, the Traditional Knowledge Information Portal
(TKIP) incorporates an electronic conferencing platform, which was first used from 10 February
to 10 March 2009, to facilitate an effective and useful expert discussion on how to advance and
implement Article 10 (c) of the Convention, in response to paragraph 4 of decision IX/13 A. 9/
This dialogue has made a significant contribution to the development of the analysis of casestudies and advice on how Article 10(c) can be further advanced and implemented as a priority
(UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/2/Add.1). Similar work is being completed for the webpage and portal on
access and benefit-sharing to facilitate the timely exchange of information and to improve the
effective participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous and local communities in the
access and benefit-sharing process.
17.
The Article 8(j) homepage introduces Article 8(j) and related provisions and offers
information about: the participation of indigenous and local communities, including through the
recently established Voluntary Trust Fund (VB) for Facilitating Participation of Indigenous and
Local Communities in the Convention process; decisions under Article 8(j), including the
programme of work and the plan of action for the retention of traditional knowledge; the
outcomes of Article 8(j); and other information regarding Article 8(j)-related meetings and
documents and notifications; as well of an entry point into the Traditional Knowledge
Information Portal (TKIP).
18.
Electronic participatory mechanisms are integrated through an Internet-based portal
located on the Convention’s website at: http://www.cbd.int/tk/default.shtml and is referred to as the
Traditional Knowledge Information Portal (TKIP). An Internet-base portal is a specialized
website that provides a variety of services including web-searching, news, calendaring, discussion
groups, interactive information exchange mechanisms, etc., developed for indigenous and local
communities in support of the goals and objectives of the Convention. Parties, organizations and
indigenous and local communities were notified of the activation of the Portal on 16 December
2005, and the TKIP was updated, revised and reactivated on 22 May 2007.
19.
The Traditional Knowledge Information Portal has eight different components, including:
(a)
A calendaring system where users are able to plan, organize and discuss virtual
or face-to-face meetings;
(b)
A number of discussion forums where it is possible to initiate new discussions,
reply to existing comments and communicate on issues of relevancy to the community;
(c)
Background material where users may submit to the Secretariat for posting
documents, reports, articles, etc.;
(d)
A section related to the programme of work on Article 8(j): traditional
knowledge, innovations and practices, where users may comment on activities, request
information and communicate with Programme Officers;
(e)
A subscription service to the various information dissemination services offered
by the Secretariat, and to other services offered by indigenous and local communities;
9/
Article 10(c) of the Convention refers to the protection and encouragement of customary use of
biological resources in accordance with traditional cultural practices that are compatible conservation or sustainable use
requirements.
7
(f)
A section on relevant websites, networks and other resources where users are
able to submit new entries and links;
(g)
A simple syndication-service (RSS, an XML (eXtended Markup Language)
format designed for sharing web content such as information on new notifications from the
Convention on Biological Diversity, final reports, upcoming meetings and latest news. Using this
service, websites are able to harvest automatically needed information from the website of the
Convention;
(h)
An electronic information centre where users are able to more easily locate
information related to Article 8(j) and traditional knowledge.
20.
Using these electronic tools, indigenous and local communities can:
(a)
Research for information about traditional knowledge, innovations and practices
and issues surrounding this subject;
(b)
Check the calendar of events;
(c)
Post community blogs (web-information);
(d)
Participate in on-line electronic conferences;
(e)
Subscribe to receive information about this area.
21.
All in all, the portal is intended to be a collaborative tool for use by indigenous and local
communities, where users are able to interact and foster dialogue regardless of temporal and
spatial constraints.
22.
However, the effective use of the portal depends on infrastructure and adequate capacity,
human and financial, both at the Secretariat and at the community level and acculturation to new
information and web-based technologies by those unfamiliar with their use and application. This
is best achieved through community level technical workshops and hands-on training.
23.
The new revised Article 8(j) homepage, launched on the International Day for Biological
Diversity on 22 May 2007, has been translated into Spanish, with the intention, subject to the
availability of funds, of translating it into French and the other three United Nations languages. It
is available at http://www.cbd.int/traditional/default.shtml. The translation into Spanish of the
Convention’s web pages, including Article 8(j) homepage and the Traditional Knowledge
Information Portal followed by the web pages and portal on access to genetic resources and
benefit-sharing, is financed through a generous contribution by the Government of Spain, and the
work is ongoing.
24.
Furthermore, in the spirit of decision IX/13 E, which requested the Executive Secretary to
establish links to relevant existing, new and upcoming web-based initiatives such as the
Indigenous Portal (www.indigenousportal.com), the Secretariat is working closely with the director
and regional editors, 10/of this indigenous initiative to ensure the traditional knowledge portal and
the indigenous portal complement each other and avoid duplication and overlap, allowing us to
maximise limited resources in a creative partnership.
Traditional mechanisms and tools
25.
The non-electronic based mechanisms under development rely on alternative more
traditionally based communication tools, including fax, hard-copy, regular mail and other
traditional means of communication and information exchange, including three editions to date of
10/
The Indigenous Portal operates in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Russian.
8
the Article 8(j) newsletter. Pachamama III 11/, published in April 2009, is available both on hard
copy and electronically in English and Spanish at http://www.cbd.int/doc/newsletters/. In addition, the
Secretariat regularly makes available on request hard copies of relevant publications, including
Pachamama, in various languages for use as capacity-building materials for indigenous and local
community led initiatives and major events.
26.
Furthermore, in response to paragraph 5 of decision IX/13 E, (which encourages the
development of alternative means of communicating public information on traditional knowledge
related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in plain language and diverse
community-friendly formats, such as video, including television, audio for community radio,
songs, posters, theatre/drama, and film, in order to ensure the full and effective participation of
indigenous and local communities, including women and youth, at local, national and
international levels, while supporting the development by indigenous and local communities of
their own media tools) and paragraph 3 of decision IX/13 I, (which requests the Executive
Secretary to draw attention to the important role of indigenous and local communities in activities
related to 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity12, and to cooperate closely with the
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to explore opportunities for common
activities as related to information exchange and awareness-raising under the guidance of the
Bureau), and again thanks to the continuing patronage of the Government of Spain, and after
consultations with the indigenous and local community working group on CEPA, the Executive
Secretary has proposed to the Bureau a menu of activities including but not limited to: animation,
cartoons, posters, 13/ radio programmes in local languages, video-based materials, including
advertisements and television, 14/ computer screen-savers, interactive computer games,
development of children’s books, a mobile exhibition (opening at the United Nations
Headquarters in May 2010) and other materials for their consideration. As well as products
specifically for indigenous and local communities, products are also under development through
the Global Initiative on Communication, Education and Public-Awareness (CEPA), for the
general public, to raise their awareness of the role of indigenous and local communities and their
traditional knowledge in achieving the goals of the Convention.
27.
Under the guidance of the Bureau and in partnership with the indigenous working group
on CEPA, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United Nations
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), the Secretariat has initiated the development
of some of these resources, with a view to showcasing them at various high-profile events in
2010, including but not limited to the ninth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the International Congress on Biological and Cultural Diversity to be held in
Montreal, from 19 to 23 July 2010 and the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which
will be held in October, in Nagoya, Japan.
11/
Pachamama is available in colour hardcopy or electronically at
http://www.cbd.int/doc/newsletters/news-8j-01-low-en.pdf. Pachamama means mother Earth (pacha: earth,
mama:mother) in the Quecha /Aymara languages. The Earth is a divinity venerated by the Incas and other inhabitants
of the Andean plateau such as the Aymara and the Quecha peoples.
12 Annex V contains a menu of activities and events being facilitated by the Secretariat with the effective
participation of ILCs, for the celebrations of the International Year on Biological Diversity.
13/
The Secretariat is working in partnership with UNESCO to ensure that seven posters from the
seven indigenous geocultural regions on traditional knowledge are made available in the six United Nations languages
and widely promoted and disseminated. The posters are available in English, French, Spanish and Bislama (Vanuatu)
languages. See http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.phpURL_ID=7438&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
14
In partnership with the UNU TK Centre and the UNU Film and Video Unit.
9
III.
PARTICIPATION OF INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
IN THE WORK OF THE CONVENTION INCLUDING THROUGH
THE VOLUNTARY FUND
28.
Pursuant to paragraph 6 (b) of decision VIII/5 D, the Executive Secretary put in place, in
early 2007, infrastructure to monitor visits to the Convention homepage, the Article 8(j)
homepage and the Traditional Knowledge Information Portal. Together with paragraph 7(c) of
decision IX/13 E, requesting the Executive Secretary to continue to monitor the use of the
Convention website and, in particular, the Article 8(j) homepage and the Traditional Knowledge
Information Portal, and to consult to identify any gaps or shortcomings, and to report to the next
meeting of the Working Group on progress made in establishing networks with indigenous and
local communities; the Secretariat has collated statistical information to, amongst other things,
establish trends in usage with the view of improving our efforts.
29.
These statistics are being collected on an annual basis to assist in monitoring the
effectiveness of communication and participation mechanisms and to establish trends in use.
However, it should be noted that because of the biennial cycle of Convention meetings, it may be
necessary to continue to collect statistics over a longer period of time, in order to establish trends
between biennium.
Page
http://www.biodiv.org/traditional/default
.shtml
http://www.cbd.int.tk/default.shtml
http://www.cbd.int/default.shtml
2007
13,106
Hits
2008
6,998
5,409
2,014,866
Page Views
2007
2008
12,993
6,899
3,535
5,182
1,550,075 1,999,108
2007
8,915
Visitors
2008
5,669
3,524
3,470
1,505,113 735,599
Voluntary Fund for the Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities
30.
In paragraph 4 of its decision IX/13 E, the Conference of the Parties invited Parties,
Governments and relevant funding institutions and mechanisms to donate to the General Trust
Fund for Voluntary Contributions to Facilitate the Participation of Indigenous and Local
Communities in the Work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (VB Trust Fund). In
paragraph 7 (f) of the same decision, the Executive Secretary was requested to intensify efforts to
promote the Trust Fund.
31.
The Secretariat takes this opportunity to provide the following statistics. Taking into
account, that the schedule of meetings can be irregular, and the numbers for 2009 are for the first
four months only, there is a clear indication that increased numbers of indigenous and local
community representatives are applying to the voluntary fund and a resulting significant increase
in participation at relevant meetings under the Convention on Biological Diversity is evident.
ILCs funded through the Voluntary Fund for ILC Participation in Meetings held under the
Convention, noting that more than 60% of funded participants are indigenous and localcommunity women
2007
WGABS5/WG8J5, Montreal, 15 to 19 October
22 ILCs funded
73 ILCs applied
Consultation on ABS, Montreal, 19-21 September
10
2,795
362,360
20 ILCs funded
32 ILCs applied
2008
Second meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Protected Areas
(WGPA-2) and the thirteen meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and
Technological Advice (SBSTTA-13), 11-15 and 18-22 February FAO, Rome.
6 ILCs funded
14 ILCs applied
Ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-9), 19–30 May, Bonn.
25 ILCs funded
70 ILCs applied
2009
Seventh meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and
Benefit-sharing (ABSWG-7), Paris, 2-8 April 2009.
26 ILCs funded
72 ILCs applied
Other meetings, 3 ILCs funded.
32.
The Governments of Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, and Spain generously
contributed to the Voluntary Fund during the period 2008-2009 to facilitate the participation of
indigenous and local community representatives in the work of the Convention.
IV.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Indigenous peoples, business and biodiversity consultation
33.
In November 2008, the Secretariat was approached by the Natural Resources Stewardship
Circle of the Aromatic, Perfume, and Cosmetics Industry and Tribal Link, a non-governmental
organization, for advice and assistance in turning a commitment 15/ that they had made at their
annual meeting in October 2008, to respect both the Convention on Biological Diversity and the
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 16/ as well as other international standards and to
turn this commitment into a reality, in their daily business dealings.
34.
This industrial sector sources many of its natural extracts and ingredients directly from
indigenous and local communities. Hence, an opportunity to bring these partners together was
mutually beneficial and also beneficial for biodiversity. The consultation brought together
approximately fifty participants from indigenous and local communities, the private sector, and
15
/
The Natural Resources Stewardship Circle of the Aromatic, Perfume, and Cosmetics
Industry have agreed upon a declaration based on key United Nations documents and aimed at enhanced
corporate social responsibility for sustainable development, referred to as The Natural Resources
Stewardship Circle Declaration
16/
General Assembly resolution 61/295, annex.
11
the international community, for a two-day programme at United Nations Headquarters in New
York, on 12-13 May 2009, on the eve of the eighth session of the United Nations Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The full report of the meeting is made available as an
information document (UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/INF/11). The outcomes of the meetings were
reported to the eighth session of the UNPFII under the agenda item of development.
35.
The meeting was a lively and constructive exchange, which produced set of draft
guidelines which will be considered by the Aromatic, Perfume, and Cosmetics Industry in
October 2009 at its next annual meeting. The initial draft guidelines were also circulated at
various venues for consultation with indigenous and local communities for broad consultation.
After further development and adoption, the Natural Resources Stewardship Circle Declaration
and Guidelines will be presented by the Industry at a reception planned for the tenth meeting of
the Conference of the Parties in October 2010.
36.
Industry specialists consider that this model may be of relevance to other industries who
may be interested in undertaking similar initiatives with the goal of protecting biodiversity and
fostering creative partnerships with indigenous and local communities and thus ensuring their
effective participation.
12
Annex I
DRAFT DECISIONS REGARDING PARTICIPATION MADE BY THE 6TH MEETING
OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8(J) AND SENT TO THE TENTH
MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES FOR POSSIBLE ADOPTION
AND ACTION (OCTOBER 2010)
6/1.
Mechanisms to promote the effective participation of indigenous and
local communities in the work of the Convention
The Ad Hoc Open-Ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related
Provisions recommends that the Conference of the Parties adopts decisions along the following
lines:
A.
Capacity-building efforts
The Conference of the Parties
1.
Welcomes with appreciation the capacity-building efforts for indigenous and
local communities by the Secretariat, in partnership with the Government of Spain and the
Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network of the Latin American and Caribbean region, on
issues relevant to Article 8(j) and related provisions and Article 15 on access and benefit-sharing,
especially in anticipation of the adoption and post-2010 implementation of the international
regime on access and benefit-sharing; and encourages Parties to continue such efforts;
2.
Welcomes the series of regional and subregional workshops aimed at
capacity-building for indigenous and local communities carried out by the Secretariat in
partnership with Parties, in support of the enhanced implementation through web-based
technologies of the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development developed under the
Convention on Biological Diversity;17 *
3.
Encourages the Secretariat to continue its efforts to facilitate the effective
implementation of decisions regarding capacity-building18 through workshops using a train-the–
trainer methodology and extending opportunities to all regions, with a view to increasing the
number of indigenous and local community representatives, particularly women, who are familiar
with and participate in the work of the Convention, including its implementation at the national
and local level;
4.
Invites Parties, Governments and relevant organizations, including indigenous
and local community organizations, to consider collaborating with the Secretariat to establish
similar initiatives in other regions, with the view to build and strengthen the capacity of
indigenous and local community representatives, particularly women to effectively participate in
the work of the Convention;
5.
Requests the Executive Secretary to continue to convene, subject to the
availability of financial resources, regional and subregional capacity-building workshops and
exchange of experience on issues relevant to Article 8(j), Article 10(c) and Article 15, to assist
17
*
18
Decision VII/14, annex.
This paragraph has budgetary implications.
See decisions IX/13 D, and E, as well as VIII/5 B, and C and VII/16 annex, and V/16, annex II,
task 4.
13
indigenous and local communities in their effective participation in the work of the Convention,
with the view of strengthening their capacity;*
6.
Also requests the Executive Secretary to continue to convene, subject to the
availability of financial resources, regional and sub-regional workshops aimed at
capacity-building for indigenous and local communities in support of the enhanced
implementation of the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development under the
Convention on Biological Diversity through enhanced marketing strategies and web-based
technologies, for dry and sub-humid lands and for mountains and to report the results to the next
meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions for its consideration. *
B.
Development of communications, mechanisms and tools to facilitate the
effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the work
of the Convention
The Conference of the Parties
1.
Notes the ongoing work concerning electronic mechanisms, such as the Article
8(j) homepage, the Traditional Knowledge Information Portal, and related initiatives and requests
the Executive Secretary to monitor the use of the these initiatives and consult with indigenous and
local communities that are participating in the work of the Convention on gaps and short-comings
and report the findings to next meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related
Provisions;*
2.
Invites the Executive Secretary to consult with Parties and indigenous and local
communities to determine how the Traditional Knowledge Portal may continue to evolve to
increase its effectiveness in assisting Parties and in particular national focal points, in their work
regarding Article 8(j) and related provisions;
3.
Invites Parties and Governments to submit national laws, legislation, policies,
programme and other relevant information regarding the protection of traditional knowledge to
the Secretariat to be publicized through the Traditional Knowledge Portal;
4.
Welcomes and encourages the further development of the various non-electronic
mechanisms, tools, products, to raise awareness about the role of traditional knowledge in
attaining the goals of the Convention, and encourages their promotion during and after the
International Year of Biodiversity;*
5.
Requests the Secretariat to continue to develop both electronic and traditional and
other means of community-education and public-awareness materials, and other means of
communication, including in indigenous languages, and invites Parties to publicize such materials
through community radio and other diverse media, in collaboration with international
organizations, indigenous and local communities, and other stakeholders; *
6.
Requests the Executive Secretary to continue to develop, update and translate the
various electronic communication mechanisms, including the Article 8(j) homepage and the
Traditional Knowledge Information Portal and to report on progress to the next meeting of the
Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions; *
7.
Invites Parties to consider designating national focal points (NFPs) for Article
8(j) and related provisions in support of national focal points, to facilitate communications with
*
*
*
This paragraph has budgetary implications.
This paragraph has budgetary implications.
This paragraph has budgetary implications.
14
indigenous and local community organizations and to promote the effective development and
implementation of the programme of work on Article 8(j) and related provisions.*
C.
Participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the
Convention, including through the Voluntary Fund for Facilitating the
Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities in the Convention
Process
The Conference of the Parties
1.
Notes with appreciation the ongoing efforts by the Secretariat to promote the
Voluntary Fund for Facilitating the Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities in the
Convention Process (VB Trust Fund), and requests the Executive Secretary to continue efforts
and to report on the advancement of this work, along with the relevant statistics concerning the
participation of indigenous and local communities, at the next meeting of the Working Group on
Article 8(j) and Related Provisions;
2.
Invites Parties, Governments and relevant funding institutions and mechanisms to
contribute generously to the Voluntary Fund, noting that the effective participation of indigenous
and local communities is essential to the work of the Convention and in achieving its three goals;
3.
Invites Parties to make efforts to include indigenous and local-community
organizations who are mandated by their community to represent them in processes under the
Convention and to be provided with opportunities to effectively participate in the Convention
processes.
D.
Other initiatives
The Conference of the Parties
Welcomes creative initiatives and partnerships between private-sector representatives and
indigenous and local community representatives, taking note of the indigenous and local
communities, Business and Biodiversity Consultation and requests the Executive Secretary to
report on such efforts at the next meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related
Provisions.
15
Annex II
Participation and the Article 8(j) Programme of Work
20.
In its decision V/16 (May 2000) the Conference of the Parties adopted the work program
on article 8 (j) and related provisions (see decision V/16, Annex). The first major element of the
programme of work is Participatory mechanisms for indigenous and local communities.
Following is an update of progress made in the implementation of related tasks since adoption of
the programme of work.
TASKS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK
Element 1. Participatory mechanisms for indigenous and local communities
Task 1. Parties to take measures to enhance and strengthen the capacity of indigenous and local
communities to be effectively involved in decision-making related to the use of their traditional
knowledge, innovations and practices relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity subject to their prior informed approval and effective involvement.
Status: In line with task 1 of the programme of work, the Conference of the Parties, in paragraph
23 of decision VI/10, urged Parties and Governments to strengthen their efforts to support
capacity-building aimed at the full and effective participation of indigenous and local
communities, particularly women, in decision-making processes regarding the preservation,
maintenance and utilization of traditional knowledge relevant for the conservation and sustainable
use of biological diversity at all levels (local, national, regional and international); and, where
indigenous and local communities and Parties and Governments deem appropriate, promote their
participation in the management of biological diversity.
Several mechanisms to redirect decision-making powers to the local level have been implemented
and largely focus on capacity building for effective participation in decision-making and
management of biological diversity and access to national and international laws for the
protection of traditional knowledge. Some such examples are provided through the national
reports and in particular, it was noted that research initiatives, capacity building and devolution of
decision making were reportedly occurring in Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia,
Botswana, China, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Norway,
Poland, Senegal, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand and Zimbabwe. More detailed information on the
implementation of paragraph 23 of decision VI/10 is contained in the progress report on the
implementation of the programme of work on article 8(j) and related provisions at the national
level (UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/2), in which most submitting Parties discussed various initiatives
undertaken or being considered to enhance the capacity of indigenous and local communities
and/or to devolve decisions making to local levels.
Action required: There is an ongoing need to support, organize and facilitate capacity building
workshops. This will require the provision of financial and technical support to indigenous and
local community organizations. These efforts may need to be increased to ensure the effective
implementation of the International Regime on ABS, after 2010. The recent three year strategy
(2008-10), made possible through the generous patronage of Spain for capacity building of
indigenous and local communities in the Latin American and Caribbean region, for a focus on
article 8(j) and article 15, provides a useful regional model for consideration.
Actors: Parties and Governments, Indigenous and Local Community Organizations and the
Secretariat.
Timeframe: Ongoing
16
Task 2. Parties to develop appropriate mechanisms, guidelines, legislation or other initiatives to
foster and promote the effective participation of indigenous and local communities in decisionmaking, policy planning and development and implementation of the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity at international, regional, sub-regional, national and local
levels, including access and benefit-sharing and the designation and management of protected
areas, taking into account the ecosystem approach.
Status: Progress has been made to facilitate participation of indigenous and local communities in
the work of the Convention through various mechanisms. Documents UNEP/CBD/WG8J/6/2,
address amongst other things, the issue of indigenous and local community participation in
decision making processes regarding the preservation, maintenance and utilization of traditional
knowledge and explores potential sources of funding to facilitate the full and effective
participation of indigenous and local communities in meetings organized within the framework of
the Convention, as requested in paragraph 22 of decision VI/10.
Progress also appears to have been made with almost 40 per cent of respondent Parties reporting
that they are facilitating the active participation of the representatives of indigenous and local
communities in relevant working groups and meetings. Over 50 per cent of respondent Parties
reported on taking measures, to a limited or significant extent, to facilitate the full and effective
participation of indigenous and local communities in the implementation of the Convention.
In particular, fifteen countries, through their national reports, have implemented and are
developing participation procedures for indigenous and local communities. For example,
Botswana uses Community Based Natural Resource Management programmes, Community
Based Organizations and Ecotourism as vehicles for participation of indigenous and local
communities in decision-making processes. However, a major constraint to full and effective
participation, particularly in the developing world, remains the lack of funds and the limited
financial support available.
Action required: Parties and Governments to adopt further measures and mechanisms according
to their unique and diverse national situations, to foster and promote indigenous and local
community participation in decision making, policy planning and development and
implementation of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
Actors: Parties and Governments.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Task 4. Parties to develop, as appropriate, mechanisms for promoting the full and effective
participation of indigenous and local communities with specific provisions for the full, active and
effective participation of women in all elements of the programme of work, taking into account
the need to:
(a) Build on the basis of their knowledge, (b) Strengthen their access to biological diversity;
(c) Strengthen their capacity on matters pertaining to the conservation, maintenance and
protection of biological diversity; (d) Promote the exchange of experiences and knowledge; (e)
Promote culturally appropriate and gender specific ways in which to document and preserve
women’s knowledge of biological diversity Element 2. Status and trends in relation to Article 8(j)
and related provisions
Status: Progress was evidenced by almost half the countries that submitted their second national
report indicating that they have fully incorporated women and women’s organizations in the
activities undertaken to implement the programme of work on Article 8(j) and related provisions
and other relevant activities under the Convention. However, in the third national reports that
were submitted, no country described mechanisms implemented specifically to promote the
17
participation of women of indigenous and local communities in the Convention on Biodiversity’s
programme of work. In the fourth national reports only four countries (Nepal, Philippines, Sri
Lanka and Vietnam) reported on initiatives specific to indigenous and local community women.
However, several countries have noted general measures to promote equal participation of
women in decision-making and capacity building projects. For example, China has the Law on
the Protection and Interests of Women and Lesotho has a 30% quota for women in local
Government community development councils, which are in charge of all development issues,
including land management and conservation. Mauritania also has special funding available for
women to create economic interest groups.
In Burkina Faso, there is an explicit policy to integrate women and women’s organizations in the
implementation of the programme of work, and it has been remarked that this integration is
progressing. Similarly, in Cameroon policies and programmes within the Ministry of Women’s
Affairs and the Ministry of Social Affairs promote culture traits, and value especially those that
are identifiable within rural women throughout the country.
In Ethiopia, the Ethnobiology Department of the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and
Research (IBCR) has been studying the role of women in the development, maintenance and
sustainable utilisation of biological resources with emphasis on food crops and cosmetic plants.
Likewise, the IBCR Forest Department has established a “focus group” that works on gender
issues. The Prime Minister’s Office has a Department of Women’s Affairs and all ministries and
large agencies have their respective Departments of Women’s Affairs. One of their main goals is
the improvement of the conditions of rural women, in their role as managers and conservers of
biological diversity, and as generators and users of the associated biological knowledge.
In the fourth national reports, only four countries (Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam)
reported initiatives specifically aimed at indigenous and local community women.
Action required: Parties and Governments to adopt special measures and mechanisms according
to their unique and diverse national situations to promote and involve indigenous and local
communities, and specifically women, in all elements of the programme of work.
Actors: Parties and Governments.
Timeframe: Ongoing.
Task 5. The Executive Secretary to prepare, for the next meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group,
an outline of a composite report on the status and trends regarding the knowledge, innovations
and practices of indigenous and local communities, a plan and a timetable for its preparation,
based, inter alia, on advice submitted by Parties, Governments, indigenous and local
communities and other relevant organizations regarding sources and availability of information
on these matters. Parties, Governments and indigenous and local communities and other relevant
organizations to submit the information and advice to address the requirements of this task and to
Parties include in their national reports the current state of implementation of Article 8(j).
Status: This task is completed.
Action required: Composite report is now completed. The revised phase I and phase II of the
Composite report will be considered by the Working Group under item 5 of the agenda.
Information regarding the current state of the implementation of Article 8(j) is available in 60%
of the submitted national reports.
Actors: Secretariat and Parties and Governments.
Timeframe: Composite report is complete but national reporting is ongoing.
18
Annex III
Case Study: Participation in ABS
The most notable advance within the framework of the Convention, relevant to development,
comes from the commitment of the Parties to implement the third objection of the Convention19
(the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources)
through the negotiation and development of the International regime on access to genetic
resources and benefit-sharing for adoption at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties,
in October 2010.
The timetable for the finalization of the international regime was adopted at COP 9 and includes
in this biennium (2008-2010) three meetings of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on
Access and Benefit Sharing (WGABS 7th, 8th and 9th meetings), taking place over seven
consecutive days. The full details of the Working Group meetings and the expert groups are
available at the Convention’s website at http://www.cbd.int/meetings/. The full text of the decision
(IX/12), including the terms of reference for the three expert group meetings is available at
http://www.cbd.int/decisions/?m=COP-09&id=11655&lg=0 .
The Parties to the Convention have recognized the importance of the participation of
indigenous and local communities in the elaboration and negotiation of the international
regime on access and benefit sharing in the preamble of decision IX/12 and in paragraphs
18 and 19 encourages Parties, other governments and international organizations to
provide the ways and means to allow for sufficient preparation and to facilitate effective
participation of indigenous and local communities, including through national and
regional workshops, in the process of the negotiation and elaboration of the international
regime, in accordance with decision VIII/5 C. Indigenous peoples effective participation
in ABS discussions is further guaranteed through the Working Group on Article 8(j) and
related provisions, which is characterized by unique, enhanced participation mechanisms
for indigenous peoples and local communities, and remains mandated to continue to
collaborate and contribute to the fulfilment of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Open-ended
Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing by providing views on the elaboration and
negotiation of the international regime on access and benefit-sharing relevant to
traditional knowledge, innovations and practices associated with genetic resources and to
the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization20.
The Secretariat remains committed to the effective participation of indigenous and local
communities in all meetings of relevance to them. The Secretariat anticipates that the voluntary
fund (for indigenous and local community participation in meetings held under the Convention)
will fund a core of approximately 25 indigenous and local community representatives to
19 Article 1 of the Convention states “The objectives of this Convention, to be pursued in accordance with its
relevant provisions, are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to
genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those
resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding.
20 Decision IX/13, A, paragraph 12
19
participate in each of the three meetings of the Working Group on ABS between April 2009 and
March 2010, as well as an additional 50 participants for the tenth meeting of the Conference of
the parties when the governing body meets in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010.
20
Annex IV
How can I participate in the Convention on Biological Diversity?
Promote application of the Akwé:Kon Guidelines at the local and national level;
Be involved in indigenous and local community organizations (at local, national
and international levels), which focus on biodiversity issues and through national
indigenous and local community advisory committees.
Be involved at international levels. Indigenous and local community
representatives who attend meetings held under the Convention form a caucus which is
referred to as the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) . The
Secretariat of the Convention provides practical support such as meetings rooms,
computers and internet access during meetings. Indigenous and local community
representatives are warmly invited to participate in the IIFB, and newcomers receive
capacity building and support in their work.
Communicate your views to the Secretariat, with regards to the current work
programme - to be considered at the 5th meeting of WG8(j) in 15-19 October, in
Montreal and feeding into the 9th meeting of the Parties to the Convention (COP 9)
scheduled for May 2008 in Germany.
Alternatively, contact the members of Advisory Group for Article 8(j) from your
region, to discuss and have input through them, including on the revision of the
Composite Report on Status and Trends in traditional knowledge (obstacles to the
retention of TK at national and local levels) and in general on the current work
programme.
Participate in the regional consultation and capacity building opportunities – refer
to the calendar of meetings and notifications for opportunities.
Express interest to be an indigenous consultant for research related to Article 8(j)
and related provisions, by sending a recent CV and a letter to the Secretariat.
Contact existing consultants directly to have input into their work. The Secretariat
can provide contact information on request.
Sign up to receive automatically electronic CBD newsletters and notifications by
creating a CBD account. Please note that this page is secured because it is part of the
user profile. It requires to Sign In with a CBD account.
Apply for funding to participate in CBD meetings of relevance to you through the
recently established Voluntary Fund for indigenous and local communities. Information,
including selection criteria and application forms can be found on the 8(j) home page.
21
Annex V
Indigenous and local communities and their participation in the International Year
of Biological Diversity
2010
The Secretariat wishes to draw your attention to decisions IX 13 E and I (paragraph f), in
which the Secretariat was requested to: to develop, , alternative means of communicating
public information on traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity, in plain language and diverse community-friendly formats, such as
video, including television, audio for community radio, songs, posters, theatre/drama, and
film while supporting the development by indigenous and local communities of their own
media tools; and draw attention to the important role of indigenous and local
communities in activities related to 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, and to
cooperate closely with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to
explore opportunities for common activities as related to information exchange and
awareness-raising under the guidance of the Bureau.
Attached to this note is the concept note (annex I) containing a menu of products and activities
being developed by the Secretariat with the effective participation of indigenous and local
community representatives, to raise awareness amongst indigenous and local communities
regarding their effective participation in the work of the Convention, as well as raising awareness
amongst the general public of the role of indigenous and local communities, and their traditional
knowledge in conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The Government of Spain
has generously funded these activities. These products will be showcased at high-profile events
during 2010 in order to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.
Legislative Mandate
Decision IX 13 E, paragraph 5. Encourages Parties, Governments and relevant international
organizations, as appropriate, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary, inter alia through the
Global Initiative on Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) and the clearinghouse mechanism, to develop, including in local languages, as appropriate, alternative means of
communicating public information on traditional knowledge related to the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity, in plain language and diverse community-friendly formats, such
as video, including television, audio for community radio, songs, posters, theatre/drama, and film,
in order to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities,
including women and youth, at local, national and international levels, while supporting the
development by indigenous and local communities of their own media tools;
Decision IX 13 I, paragraph 3. Requests the Executive Secretary to draw attention to the
important role of indigenous and local communities in activities related to 2010 as the
International Year of Biodiversity, and to cooperate closely with the United Nations Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues, to explore opportunities for common activities as related to
information exchange and awareness-raising under the guidance of the Bureau.
Process
1. Menu of Activities and draft concept note to ILC WG on CEPA
2. Incorporate advice
22
3. Send to Bureau for their guidance and approval
4. Draw up terms of reference for each task/product – and engage consultants.
5. Encourage consultants to work with ILC WG on CEPA, in product development.
6. Products completed by end of 2009.
7. Distribution to NFPs and ILCs and media, including indigenous media;
8. Showcasing at high profile events including but not limited to:
Opening of the international year on biodiversity at UNESCO, Paris, end of January 2010;
UNPFII 9th session; Global Conference on Biological and Cultural Diversity; COP 10 October,
Japan.
2010 Showcased at high profile events:
- 9th session of UNPFII New York 2010;
- the Global Conference on Cultural and Biological Diversity for Development, Montreal,
July; 2010; COP 10, Japan, October 2010.
Possible menu of products:
Two Foci:
- For ILCs to improve knowledge of and effective participation in CBD and/or
- for the General Public about ILCs, TK and goals of the Convention.
1. Animation for use on TV, airlines, screen-saver, etc.
2. Community-based short film/video ILCs, TK and Biodiversity
3. Exhibition – UN Headquarters,
4. UNESCO Posters partnership (on TK) – translate into languages.
5. Community radio stories and interviews translated into diverse languages,
6. Partnership with www.indigenousportal.com to improve related sections of the web-pages.
7. Participation Guide for ILCs for effective participation in CBD processes (multiple-languages)
developed as training materials.
8. Article 8(j) Newsletter, Pachamama, English, Spanish, and French.
Methodology
By Indigenous and local community artists for ILC communities, where possible;
By indigenous and local communities for the general public.
Consultants should be ILCs, where possible;
Multiple languages and formats where possible.
Innovative and diverse media.
23